Effects of an Aquatic Exercise and Swimming Program on the Body Composition and under Working Capacity of Mentally Retarded Children. (Special Populations)

Article excerpt

Although physiological adaptations to aerobic endurance training differ in many ways in terms of age, gender and genetic factors, aerobic endurance training may result in decreased body fat, increased respiratory capacity, maximal oxygen uptake and working efficiency of the heart (Kraemer, 2000). The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 10-week aquatic exercise and swimming program on the body composition and under water working capacity of mentally retarded children. Nine trainable and seven educable children from the Ankara Shelter and Rehabilitation Center participated in this study. The mean age of the children was 12.22 [+ or -] 0.49 years in the trainable group (n = 9) and 14.71 [+ or -] 0.52 years in the educable group (n = 7). The training program consisted of a 40-mm swimming and water exercise session, twice weekly for 10 weeks. The study included both a pretest and posttest measuring body composition. In addition, heart rate and running speed in the water were measured to determi ne the underwater working capacity. Percentage body fat and fat free mass were measured via skinfold measurements (biceps, triceps, subscapula, chest, suprailiac, abdominal thigh, and calf). The Mann Whitney U test was used to compare the two groups and the Wilcoxon Matched Pairs Signed-Rank test was used within each group. …